Cape Disappointment State Park ~ Washington

Flickr album link: Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment State Park is located on a peninsula at the the mouth of the Columbia River. This part of the Pacific coastline is renowned for dramatic scenery and old historic lighthouses, so a landscape artist will feel right at home in this unique place. In fact, there are two lighthouse towers to experience in this park. Both the North Head Lighthouse and Cape Disappointment Lighthouse are open for tours and the views of the seascape certainly are as dramatic as can be.

As can be imagined, this Washington state park is a very busy tourist attraction during the summer season. As the weather cools and the days get shorter, there will be far more breathing room to be found during the autumn season. Winter also offers a priceless experience, if one can withstand the cold northern storms. Many fans of old lighthouses actually relish the thought of foul weather, since the crashing waves add such an awe inspiring effect. 

There is a beachfront campground inside this park and it is best to make reservations well ahead of time, since this is some premium real estate. Waikiki Beach is a sandy recreation area in this park where there is plenty of fun in the sun and the surfers ride the waves next to the jetty. Boulder hopping on the North Jetty is a fun activity too and this is one of the best vantage points for capturing images of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. There are also several surf side hiking trails to explore and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center will fascinate visitors of all ages. No tour of the Washington coastline would be complete without experiencing Cape Disappointment, so be sure to chalk this interesting destination high on the list!